What makes tattoos permanent? - Claudia Aguirre

The earliest recorded tattoo was found on a Peruvian mummy in 6,000 BC. That's some old ink! And considering humans lose roughly 40,000 skin cells per hour, how do these markings last? Claudia Aguirre details the different methods, machines and macrophages (you'll see) that go into making tattoos stand the test of time.

Lesson by Claudia Aguirre, animation by TOGETHER.

[jacksrandomadventures]

1st tattoo: this one represents all the struggles ive been through and how i became a stronger person. .
8th tattoo: check it out a mustache on my finger

[christianweibrecht]

as long as Ted-ed keeps answering the random questions that I think of I will stay subscribed

[proton]

Science makes everything sound painful

[fatcat]

Wow so basically when u look at ur tattoo ur actually looking at the bodies of millions of dead cells who came to help u.

[fandju]

*I'm black, will this anti-tattoo laser kill me?*

[l.r.]

Person: Gets a tattoo
Immune system: *Can u don't?*

[pwrinklejohnson]

One of the differences between a tattooed person an a non-tattooed person is, a tattooed person doesn't care if you're not tattooed.

[attor]

This guys voice better than the others

[dardanm]

I like that this went straight to the point without unnecessary bullshit. "Hi my name is blahblab and Im going to show you" please shoot me.

[jakestockton]

I want a tattoo of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking fighting each other in a Celebrity Deathmatch arena.

[mksabourinable]

People, tattoos aren't for everyone. But just because you don't like tattoos does not mean that no one should get them, nor does it mean that they are worse or lesser because of it. People get tattoos for different reasons. And just because you can't relate to those reasons does not make them any less valid. 

Some people find that tattoos make them more beautiful. And are a great way to put a mark on a big part of who they are or what they've been through. Or as a way of turning something ugly into something beautiful. A friend of mine had a really rough go at life, and dealt with a lot of depression, and ended up with some self harm scars. When she recovered and was better mentally, she hated seeing them because they were a permanent reminder of a bad time her life. So she covered them with tattoos, so instead of something ugly on her arms, she has something beautiful. 

Or like me, I've gone through some shit, and I found getting a tattoo when I managed to overcome it therapeutic. A permanent reminder that I was strong enough to endure and  succeed when other overwhelming problems came my way. 
Plus I really, really like the way they make me look :)

No two people are the same, and those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music :) (Nietzsche)

[junglebaby]

...and I'm in the process of removing a tattoo. I'm on my 11th session and it's still only halfway done *sigh* Kids, think before you get your tattoos. Opt for smaller size, black ink, and placing them where you can cover them with clothes.

[lunanote-cassettemeower]

My dad has a small tattoo dot on his chest. When my dad had throat cancer many years ago, they needed to mark a spot for them to send the laser to treat the cancer. The spot was a permanent tattoo, and it’s seen as a sign of dad surviving cancer
A few years later we adopted our dog Bagel, and shortly after adopting him we noticed he has a tiny dot on his chest just like dad does. Further proof that he was meant for us.

[elroyjandicala]

Thank you TED-Ed for answering my shower thoughts.

[KKayde]

It's 2019 and people are still bashing people for having tattoos... It's art people, get over it! I honestly don't understand why people care if other people have tattoos or not. Other people's tattoos don't affect your life in any way shape or form.

[theburgerbrains]

This channel (and TED in general) makes me a very happy person. Thanks for keeping it going!

[echoi]

This is great. I was staring at my tattoo through this lesson, feeling fascinated with the whole biological process behind it. Thanks for sharing!

[Wifi_Cable]

A topic I know pretty much nothing about, good to see some variety on this channel.

[davidbray]

Tattooing is something I don’t care if someone else does, but I will never do myself.

[alishankarimov]

I just want thank you for all those amazingly simplistic and highly informative videos that you share! They almost do not leave any single question remained in my brain regarding any topic! Thanks to your channel I left smoking and alcohol and now I do not want to have tattoos... I already had basic knowledge from school but your videos explain things straightforwardly that anyone can perceive them easily. Love this channel and keep it up! Thanks again!